1. I love you.
2. love you no matter what.
3. I love you even when you are angry at me.
4. I love you even when I am angry with you.
5. I love you when you are far way. My love for you can reach you wherever you are.
6. If I could pick any 4 year old (5 year old, 6 year old…) in the whole wide world, I’d pick you.
7. I love you to the moon and then around the stars and back again.
8. Thank you.
9. I enjoyed playing with you today.
10. My favorite part of the day was when I was with you and we were _______.

Tell them:
11. The story of their birth or adoption.
12. About how you cuddled them when they were a baby.
13. The story of how you chose their name.
14. A story about yourself when you were their age.
15. A story about how their grandparents met.
16. What your favorite color is.
17. That sometimes you struggle too.
18. That when you’re holding hands and you give three squeezes, it’s a secret code that means, “I love you”.
19. What the plan is.
20. What you’re doing right now.

Pretend:
29. To catch their kiss and put it on your cheek.
30. That their tickle tank is empty and you have to fill it.
31. That their high five is so powerful it nearly knocks you over.
32. That you are super ticklish.
33. That you are explorers in the amazing new world of your backyard.
34. That it’s party day! Decorate for no reason!

Try:
35. To get enough sleep.
36. To drink enough water.
37. To eat decent food.
38. Wearing earrings, or whatever makes you feel pretty.
39. Calling a friend the next time you feel like you are about to lose it with the kids.
40. Giving a gentle touch to show approval, rather than saying something.
41. Dancing in the kitchen.
42. To get your kids to bop to the music with you in the car.
43. Showing your kids that you can do a somersault or handstand or a cartwheel.
44. Keeping that sigh to yourself. Just jump in and help clean up cheerfully.
45. Using a kind voice, even if you have to fake it.

Read:
46. A book of silly poems.
47. A book and then act it out. (Like “I’m going on a Bear Hunt”)
48. Your favorite childhood book to them.
49. When the afternoon is starting to go astray.
50. Outside under a tree.
51. In the library kids corner.
52. The comic book they love that you’re not so hot on.
53. About age appropriate behavior so you can keep your expectations realistic.

Listen:
54. To your child in the car.
55. To that Lego description, and think how important it is to your child.
56. For that question that indicates your child really needs your input.
57. One second longer than you think you have patience for.
58. For the feelings behind your child’s words.

Ask:
59. Why do you think that happens?
60. What do you think would happen if______?
61. How shall we find out?
62. What are you thinking about?
63. What was your favorite part of the day?
64. What do you think this tastes like?

Show:
65. Your child how to do something instead of banning them from it.
66. How to whistle with a blade of grass.
67. How to shuffle cards- make a bridge if you can!
68. How to cut food.
69. How to fold laundry.
70. How to look up information when you don’t know the answer.
71. Affection to your spouse.
72. That taking care of yourself is important.

Take Time:
73. To watch construction sites.
74. To look at the birds.
75. To allow your child to help you dump ingredients in the bowl.
76. To walk places together.
77. To dig in the dirt together.
78. To do a task at your child’s pace.
79. To just sit with you child while they play.

Trust:
80. That your child is capable.
81. That you are the right parent for your child.
82. That you are enough.
83. That you can do what is right for your family.

Delight your child:
84. Clean your child’s room as a surprise.
85. Put chocolate chips in the pancakes.
86. Put a love note in their lunch.
87. Make their snack into a smile face shape.
88. Make sounds effects while you help them do something.
89. Sit on the floor with them to play.

Let Go:
90. Of the guilt.
91. Of how you thought it was going to be.
92. Of your need to be right.

Give:
93. A look with Kind Eyes to your child.
94. A smile when your child walks into the room.
95. A kind touch back when your child touches you.
96. The chance to connect before you correct so that your child can actually hear your words.
97. Your child a chance to work out their frustrations before helping them.
98. A bath when the day feels long.
99. A hug.
100. You get to choose the next one! What is your favorite way to be kind to your child?

When my toddler came to me and asked for a Halloween party, I must admit I was a bit shocked. Over the years I have had my share of hosting Halloween parties, but if memory serves me correctly, that began with my teen around 1st or 2nd grade, not as a toddler.

So I quickly put myself into party planning mode, and began with a list of To Do’s. I wanted to share my list with others that may have signed up to host the party for the little ones for the first time. I am hoping that with the steps to take, list of items needed, along with a few healthy, yet simple fun finger foods, you can pull it off as a successful event for your neighborhood.

Step 1– List of Invitees be sure to think of a couple of parents that would be willing to stay around to help make the party a hit. If your child is anything like my child, she doesn’t always get along with all of the children in her playgroup, so you need to give careful thought into the children that she actually can get along with and have a good time, without unnecessary disagreements, and fits. I have expanded my resource list given the compatibility feature to her playgroup, the neighborhood, friends at the gym, church group friends, and family. Out of all of the group, I was able to come up with twelve girls and boys that I trust she will have a great time with, and parents that I will be able to count on to help things go smoothly. Have fun with it, and fun with sending out the invites.

Step 2– Fun Finger Foods– At every party, particularly a toddler party what’s on the menu is a major priority. Think of fun, creative, healthy treats to serve the children during the party, and decide what times the treats will be brought out. Take into account that some children may have food allergies, so be sure to contact via phone or email the parents of each child attending to inquire about any allergies. I think it is also very important to ask the parents to bring a snack of choice for the children, something that their child enjoys, in keeping the Halloween idea in mind. Here are a few healthy ideas http://spoonful.com/halloween/best-halloween-recipes-gallery. Try delegating a role for each parent to assist with; your job becomes a little easier. Of course I would not expect to have all twelve families bring a snack; however, I would divide the attendee list, and ask some to be in charge of games, supplies, party gift bags, invitations, etc.

Step 3– Costumes, Games & Stories– Start the party by introducing each child by name, and what they have come up with for their costume. Children love to have recognition of their costume that they’ve chosen, even if it’s the 10th idea since the beginning of fall. In addition, there are so many Halloween games that toddlers will enjoy. Think of both indoor and outdoor games that will keep the crowd engaged. Here is a quick link with wonderful game ideas for this age group. http://familycrafts.about.com/od/halloweengames/ss/Pin-The-Tail-On-The-Cat-Printable-Halloween-Party-Game.htm & http://spoonful.com/halloween/halloween-games Pick a few and have fun with it. It is also a great tradition to have the children circle around an adult after the games are over, dimming the lights, and telling spooky, yet fun stories. Ask the parents attending of any particular Halloween books that their child might enjoy, and introduce the book as such. For example, this book is one of Todd’s favorite Halloween stories. This will help to ease any anxiety or jitters amongst the group, knowing that one of them really enjoys this book.

Step 4– Music- Choosing the right music is important too. Toddlers enjoy happy music, and surprisingly can learn the words to riddles and songs easily. Here is a quick link to most popular Halloween tunes for toddlers http://www.live365.com/stations/kiddfellas. Again, we want to keep in the “spooky, gobbling, ghostly” tradition, but in a fun way.

Contact Us

stacie@metroparentrelief.com

202-520-5322

Testimonials

We’ve had a great experience with Metro Parent Relief and the newborn carers they have put us in touch with – they’ve been quick to respond, flexible to the inevitable changes at short notice, and proactive in helping us find someone who meets our requirements. Thanks for all your help!

T.K., NW Washington DC

Finding the right nanny is a stressful process but Stacie took the
time to identify our needs and priorities. She found an amazing person
– warm, fun and engaging – to care for our daughter. It gives us a
peace of mind that she is well looked after. I highly recommend Metro
Parent Relief to anyone who wants quality care for their children.
Metro Parent Relief is truly a gem!

H.K. of Arlington

Fatima has been an absolute angel for our family – we feel so fortunate that our boys have had her to care for them. We’ll be forever grateful to Mommy Relief/Metro Parent Relief.